Hi Everyone!
I don't quite remember how unique my weeks were back before I came out to the mission field, but every week out here has definitely been unique!
First, we finally got 10 hours of community service this week. I haven't done that much for a couple months now because there aren't any organizations to do service for in the area I'm assigned to. But this week, I trimmed hedges for 3 hrs on Tuesday, pulled weeds for 3 hrs on Wednesday, washed windows for 3 hrs on Thursday, and did 1 hr of odd jobs for an investigator on Friday. It was a nice change of pace to our days to add some service. I doubt we will get near that this week since all those were planned 2 weeks ago and we didn't plan more service opportunities for this week.
Second, we had an awesome dinner/lesson on Wednesday night. We had an opportunity to meet with the parents (dad & step-mom) of a member of our ward. The parents haven't been active in church for 20 years. Also, some grandkids were there too (ages 16&19). I couldn't tell if the step-mom was being genuine or just saying the right things while we were there, but it turns out she was being genuine! The next day I heard that she did the things we invited her to do! We downloaded the Gospel Library application for her tablet and invited her to watch 2 General Conference talks. The member said that was probably the first time in her life she has ever watched/read a General Conference talk! Also, one of the grandkids, Shanna, couldn't stop saying how nice we were after we left! It was extremely fulfilling to a well planned and executed lesson with someone that really impacted them and they are digging into the Word of God more fully because we invited them to.
Third, Missionary work is so funny. I suppose this concept could carry over in other industries as well. I have been working hard with less-actives and investigators for over 3 months in this area during which I have had 3 different companions. While people have been making progress, no one has really progressed to baptism or regularly coming to church. And then out of nowhere, a 14-year-old boy named Theodore moved into the ward (came from problematic family in Arizona and moved in with his Grandma). While his older brother is a member, he isn't a member. He has come the last few weeks with his grandma. We met him at church last week and talked to him in 3rd hour this week. He said, "I want to talk to you about taking the lessons." He really wants to be part of the church and pass the sacrament with the other Aaronic Priesthood holders his age. So, he will probably be baptized by the end of August. Like I said, it is funny that you work so hard with some barely progressing people and then someone comes up to you and essentially wants to be baptized. Reminds me so much of Chris Tomlin in Laramie who basically did the same thing.
Lastly, it has been a joy this transfer with my companion. I haven't struggled too much with any companion, but we have been getting along really well. We went golfing earlier today and it was great. So much fun! Last time it was fun, but there was a lot of friction between me and my companion. This time was just great. And I wasn't as bad as last time! I only lost 2 (or 3) balls. We didn't do best lie and I shot a 60 on the front nine. Only +24! :) If I could putt I would have done a lot better as I lost 1-2 shots on every hole trying to get it in. It was so awesome to actually hit the ball straight and not sideways every time. Ultimately, it has just been so refreshing to not have much if any tension in this companionship. He even tells people how much he has liked being my companion! It's pretty sweet.
Hope all of you are doing awesome! I'd love to hear from you! Have an amazing week!
Sincerely,
Elder Jeff Campbell
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